Brush cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A hair brush cleaning apparatus comprising a rotatable brush roller engagable with the bristles of the brush being cleaned for sweeping or dislodging hair and the like therefrom; a rotatable finger shaft disposed adjacent the brush roller and having cleaning fingers or prongs for removing hair strands from the brush roller; and vacuum means in communication with the finger shaft and brush roller for effectively removing the dislodged hair and particles from the area therearound.

United States Patent 1 Marquette BRUSH CLEANING DEVICE Apr. 23, 1974 2,651,803 9/1953 Browne 15/48 X Inventor: Ronald a qu tt 2 o ng 3,255,377 12/1965 Winter et al 15/311 St., Tulsa, Okla. 741 1 1 Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Hornsby [22] Flled: 1969 Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore [211 App]. No.: 848,638

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 15/311, 15/38,]155/3399, A hair brush cleaning apparatus Comprising a tomb able brush roller engagable with the bristles of the 2g gb brush being cleaned for sweeping or dislodging hair 1 g g "5 5 and the like therefrom; a rotatable finger shaft disposed adjacent the brush roller and having cleaning fingers or prongs for removing hair strands from the 56 R f d brush roller; and vacuum means in communication 1 e erences with the finger shaft and brush roller for effectively UNITED STATES PATENTS removing the dislodged hair and particles from the 166,841 8/1875 Barry /308 X area therearound. 1,191,387 7/1916 Baumgart.... 15/308 1,742,375 1/1930 Bass 15/179 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures 5 6 |6 i; be 54 28 1 I y I I I if \L 44 so 24 J 52 5 2 /V 1 1 17 1 1 I1 I I 11 2O 58 W62 4 86 1o (2 2 6 90 v 19 w .4 1 w 1 I a 1, A1] A\J y K All] I l 1 88 I if r 6 e 72 5 4 2 4 L- I 74 6b PATENTEDAPR 23 m4 FIG.I

FIG. 2

INVENTOR. RONALD o. MARGUETTE ATTORNEY BRUSH CLEANING DEVICE This invention relates to improvements in brush cleaning devices and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a self-cleaning hair brush cleaning device.

The efficient cleaning of hair brushes in a beauty salon, or the like, has long been a problem. Hair and other foreign particles accumulates and masses in the bristles of a hair brush during use for the brushing of a patrons hair. Of course, it is important that the entangled hair and particles be thoroughly removed from the brush and the brush must be sterilized before it may be used on a second patron for both health reasons, and for personal satisfaction for the patron. Removal of the hair and particles from the bristles of the brush prior to the sterilizing thereof is difficult. The most common method of cleaning the brush at the present time con sists of manual combing of the bristles in an effort to loosen the hair strands and remove the loosened hair and particles from the brush. The operation must be repeated at length to achieve any success, which is both tedious and time consuming for the operator.

Many devices have been developed for facilitating the cleaning of hair brushes, such as shown in the Winter et al. US. Pat. No. 3,225,377, McCoy US. Pat. No. 3,348,253, and Rehberg U.S. Pat. No. 3,072,939. However, these brushing cleaning devices have certain disadvantages in that the cleaning elements of the apparatus become entangled with hair strands and other particles, and are in themselves difficult to clean.

The present invention contemplates a novel hair brush cleaning device particularly designed and constructed for overcoming the above disadvantages. The novel apparatus comprises a brush roller comprising an elongated brush element rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof. The bristles of the brush roller engage the bristles of the hair brush in a manner for efficient sweeping or brushing any lodged hair strands and other particles therefrom. A rotatable finger shaft is journalled in the proximity of the brush roller and is provided with radially outwardly extending fingers or prongs for deeply engaging the bristles of the brush roller to disentangle the hair strands therefrom. A vacuum element is provided for the apparatus wherein a suction is constantly present in the area or chamber surrounding the finger shaft and brush roller to efficiently withdraw the loosened and dislodged hair and debris from the interior of the apparatus. Thus, the hair brush is quickly and efficiently cleaned, and the cleaning device itself is cleaned during the operation thereof.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel brush cleaning device wherein a hair brush may be quickly and easily cleaned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel hair brush cleaning apparatus particularly designed and constructed for self-cleaning during operation thereof Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel hair brush cleaning device which is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hair brush cleaning device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of a hair brush cleaning apparatus embodying the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a brush roller and tinger shaft embodying the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hair brush holding tray embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generally indicates a brush cleaning apparatus comprising a suitable housing 12 having a bottom plate 14, opposed side walls 16 and 18, a rear wall 20, a top plate 22 and a front plate 24. The front plate 24 is preferably disposed at an angle, as particularly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to provide an opening 26 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. In addition, the front plate 24 may be hingedly secured to the top plate 22 in any suitable manner, such as shown at 28, for facilitating access to the interior of the housing 12. Of course, suitable latching means (not shown) may be provided for retaining the front plate 24 in the angular position therefor.

A substantially horizontally disposed partition 30 is provided in the housing 12 and spaced between the bottom plate 14 and upper plate 22 to provide an upper chamber 32 and lower chamber 34 therein. A substantially vertical wall or partition 36 is secured in the chamber 34 between the plates 14 and 30 and spaced from the rear wall 20 as clearly shown in FIG. 2 to provide a rear chamber 38. An aperture 40 (or a plurality of spaced apertures 40) are provided in the wall 36 to provide communication between the front chamber 34 and the rear chamber 38. Oppositely disposed arcuate flange members 42 and 44 extend from the proximity of the apertures or or opening 40 into the chamber 34 to provide a funnel type member for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

A brush roller generally indicated at 46 is suitably journalled in the chamber 34 between the side walls 16 and 18 for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof, as is well known. The brush roller 46 may be of any suitable type and as shown herein comprises a central core member 48 extending longitudinally therethrough having relatively stiff bristles 50 extending radially outward therefrom. A suitable pulley or sprocket member 52 is provided on the shaft or core 48, preferably in the proximity of one end thereof, but not limited thereto A motor 54, or the like, may be bolted or otherwise secured on the partition 30 and disposed in the chamber 32 and is provided with a drive pulley or sprocket 56 secured to the drive shaft 58 thereof, as is well known A drive belt or endless chain 60 passes through an opening 62 provided in the partition 30 and extends between and around the pulleys 52 and 56 for transmitting rotation from the drive shaft 58 to the core 48. Of course, the motor 54 is provided with the usual electrical connections (not shown) for connection with an electrical power source (not shown) and the usual onoff switch (not shown) whereby the motor 54 may be activated and deactivated, as desired, during operation of the apparatus 10. The sprocket 52 is preferably a sprocket of the double type.

A shaft 64 is suitably journalled in the chamber 34 between the side walls 16 and 18 and is spaced from and substantially parallel to the core 48. A sprocket or pulley 66 is secured on the shaft 64 in substantially co planar alignment with the sprocket 52 and an endless chain or belt 68 extends between and around the sprockets 52 and 66 for transmitting rotation to the shaft 64. A plurality of radially outwardly extending prongs or fingers 70 are longitudinally spaced along the shaft 64 and are preferably flexible or constructed from a spring like material but not limited thereto. The fingers 70 are preferably of a length substantially equal to but slightly less than the distance between the outer periphery of the shaft 64 and outer periphery of the core 48 whereby the fingers 70 mesh with the bristles 50 of the brush 46 during rotation of the shaft 64 for scraping or dislodging hair strands and other debris from the bristles 50 as will be hereinafter set forth. Whereas the fingers 70 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 extend in opposite radial directions from the shaft 64, it is to be understood that the fingers 70 may extend in only one radial direction from the shaft 64 or may extend in multiple radial directions therefrom as desired.

A brush holder tray generally indicated at 72 is removably disposed on the bottom plate 14 and extends through the opening 26 as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Suitable stop means 74 is preferably provided on the upper surface of the plate 14 for limiting the inward movement of the tray 72 within the chamber 34 and providing a means for proper positioning of the tray 72 as in the apparatus 10. The tray 72 preferably comprises a substantially flat brush holder plate 76 having a plurality of spaced recesses or detents 78 provided in the proximity of one edge thereof. The recesses 78 are of a configuration complementary with the usual hair brush 80 and are provided for receiving a hair brush 80 therein. An elastic band 82 extends across the plate 76 spaced from the recesses 78 and whereby the handle 84 of the brush 80 may be inserted beneath the band 82 and the head or bristles 86 of the brush 80 may be disposed in a recess 78 with the bristles 86 extending upwardly in a direction toward the brush roller 46.

A suitable vacuum pump 88 is mounted within the chamber 38 and is suitably connected with the bores or ports 40 for creating a-suction within the chamber 34. It is preferable to provide an exhaust port 90 in the chamber 38 and if desired a flexible hose or the like (not shown) may be suitably connected between the exhaust port'90 andthe forward portion of the chamber 34 for directing the exhaust air over the brush roller 46 and finger shaft 64 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

It may be desirable to provide a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinally extending knife or cutting edge members 92 and 94 (FIG. 2) extending radially outwardly from the core 48 of the brush roller 46. In instances wherein the length of the bristles 50 is relatively,

short, as for example, slightly longer than the bristles 86 of the-brush 80, it may be found unnecessary to provide the cutting or razor members 92 and 94. However, on larger diameter brushes 46, cutting elements 92 and 94 may be desirable. In addition, suitable oscillating means may be provided for the razor or cutting members 92 and 94 for longitudinal oscillation thereof as is well known, and for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. Of course, when the razor elements 92 and 94 are provided for the apparatus the spacing of the fingers 40 and razor elements 92 and 94 is such that they do not engage each other during the simultaneous rotation of the core 48 and shaft 64.

4 OPERATION Brushes 80 to be cleaned may be manually placed in the recesses 78 of the tray 32 in such a manner that the handles 84 thereof are interposed between the plate 76 and yieldable band 82 and the bristles 86 extend upwardly from the recesses78. The tray 72 may then be manually inserted through the opening 26 of the device 10 with the rear edge or innermost edge of the plate 76 disposed in the proximity of the stop means 74. This will position the bristles 86 of the brushes 80 immediately below the brush roller 46.

The motor 54 may be energized in any well known manner whereby rotation is transmitted to the core 48 in one direction, preferably a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 but not limited thereto. Rotation is simultaneously transmitted to the shaft 64 in a common direction with the brush 46 whereby the outer tip of the fingers inscribe a circle. As the brush 46 rotates, the bristles 50 thereof sweep longitudinally across the brush and through the bristles 86 and into engagement with the brush 80 for swiftly and efficiently sweeping hair strands and other particles from the bristles 86. Simultaneously, the fingers 70 mesh with the bristles S0 of the brush roller 46 and pick up hair strands and knock other particles loose from the bristles 50.

If the bristles 50 are ofa length substantially equal to the length of the bristles 84, it has been found that the brush 80 and brush element 46 function to clean each other in such a manner as to substantially preclude any winding of hair strands around the core 48. Thus, the razor members 92 and 94 are not necessary. However, if the bristles 50 are substantially longer than the bristles 86, hair strands may tend to wrap around the core 46 and may be difficult to remove therefrom. In this instance, the blades 92 and 94 may be provided for cutting any hair which may try to wind around the core 48 and facilitate removal of the hair from the bristles 50.

The vacuum pump 88 is energized in any well known manner and preferably simultaneously with the energization of the motor 54 for creating a suction or partial vacuum condition in the chamber 34 surrounding a brush roller 46 and fingers 70. The loosened or dislodged hair is pulled into the chamber 38 by the action of the pump 88. The air may be exhausted or discharged on the chamber 38 through the exhaust port 90 and it is preferable to provide a screen or the like (not shown) covering the outlet 90 for precluding passage of the dislodged debris therethrough. A suitable access opening (not shown) may be provided in the chamber 38 for facilitating removal of accumulated debris therefrom. If desired, a flexible hose (not shown), or the like, may be connected between the outlet 90 and the forward or leading portion of the chamber 34 for directing the exhaust air into the proximity of the rotating brush 46. The added passage for the exhasut air over the brush 46 and fingers 70 through the chamber 34 may facilitate the removal of hair and debris from the chamber 34 into the chamber 38.

Whereas the particular emboidment depicted herein contemplates the cleaning of a plurality of brushes 80 simultaneously and in one operation, it is to be understood that the apparatus 10 may be constructed to be utilized for cleaning a single brush 80 as desired. In this instance the length of the roller 46 may be considerably less and the tray 72 may be much shorter in length and provided with asingle recess 78. Alternately, the tray 72 may be eliminated, if desired, and an individual hair brush may be inserted through the aperture or opening 26 with the bristles thereof in engagement with the brush roller 46. The stop 74 will limit the length or depth of insertion of the brush into the apparatus and upon sufficient sweeping of the hair brush by the brush roller 46 the hair brush may be manually withdrawn from the opening 26. As a practical matter it has been found that the dirty hair brush is cleaned very quickly by the engagement with the brush roller 46.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel hair brush cleaning device comprising a rotary brush element for efficiently cleaning bristles of the brush, a finger shaft cooperating with the brush roller for cleaning of the bristles of the brush roller and vacuum means for efficiently removing hair and dislodged debris from the area surrounding the brush roller and the finger shaft. The novel apparatus is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A brush cleaning apparatus comprising a housing, a rotatable brush element journalled in the housing, means transmitting rotation to the brush element, finger shaft means journalled in the housing in spaced relationship to the brush element, means transmitting rotation to the finger shaft means, brush receiving means for removably receiving the brush to be cleaned within the housing in the proximity of the brush element whereby a brush to be cleaned is disposed for engagement by the brush element, and vacuum means providing suction in the area surrounding the brush element and finger shaft, and wherein the finger shaft means comprises a shaft member journalled in the housing spaced from and substantially parallel to the brush element, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced finger members extending radially outward from the shaft for meshing engagement with the brush element, the rotation of said finger shaft means being in the same direction of rotation as the rotatable brush element, and wherein the brush element comprises a longitudinally extending core member journalled within the housing, and radially extending bristles provided throughout the length of the core member for engagement with the bristles of the brush to be cleaned, and including razor means extending radially outwardly from the core member for facilitating cleaning of the brush element during operation of the apparatus. l l= 2k 

1. A brush cleaning apparatus comprising a housing, a rotatable brush element journalled in the housing, means transmitting rotation to the brush element, finger shaft means journalled in the housing in spaced relationship to the brush element, means transmitting rotation to the finger shaft means, brush receiving means for removably receiving the brush to be cleaned within the housing in the proximity of the brush element whereby a brush to be cleaned is disposed for engagement by the brush element, and vacuum means providing suction in the area surrounding the brush element and finger shaft, and wherein the finger shaft means comprises a shaft member journalled in the housing spaced from and substantially parallel to the brush element, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced finger members extending radially outward from the shaft for meshing engagement with the brush element, the rotation of said finger shaft means being in the same direction of rotation as the rotatable brush element, and wherein the brush element comprises a longitudinally extending core member journalled within the housing, and radially extending bristles provided throughout the length of the core member for engagement with the bristles of the brush to be cleaned, and including razor means extending radially outwardly from the core member for facilitating cleaning of the brush element during operation of the apparatus. 